What is Title IX?

"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

– Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972, Section 1681(a)

Title IX is a comprehensive federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. Title IX prohibits gender discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. ​

What does the Title IX Office do? The Title IX Office provides assistance in resolving and investigating complaints of sexual harassment, sex discrimination, and sexual violence (sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and invasions of sexual privacy). Upon request, the Title IX Office can provide alternative resolutions as well as formal investigations. The University responds to reports of sexual harassment, including sexual violence, as part of its efforts to stop the harassment and prevent the recurrence of possible sex discrimination.

When the Title IX Office receives a report, it will prioritize the safety of the complainant when determining how to proceed. If appropriate and feasible, the Title IX Office will implement safety measures for a complainant. If the complainant does not want a formal investigation, the Title IX Office will review options for alternative resolutions with the complainant to address the matter. If the complainant does ask for a formal investigation and has also made a police report, the Title IX Office may delay its investigation temporarily so as not to interfere in the criminal investigation.

The Title IX Office has responsibility for the fact-finding portion of the process. While the Title IX Office may assist complainants who are students, staff, faculty, and non-affiliates, they can only investigate policy violations if the respondent is a campus affiliate. The Title IX Office and the disciplinary bodies only have authority over campus affiliates.

The Title IX Office must ensure a fair and neutral investigator process. The Title IX Office does not represent either party during a complaint resolution process. Both parties are afforded the same rights to support services, information, and participation in the investigation process.

Once the investigation has been completed that results in a policy violation recommendation or finding, the report will be forwarded to the appropriate office to conduct the adjudication process. The status of the respondent (student, staff, or faculty) determines which office has responsibility for the adjudication process.

Information about the adjudication process for students can be found here.

Information about the adjudication process for represented employees can be found here.

Information about the adjudication process for non-represented employees can be found here.

Information about the adjudication process for Academic Senate Members can be found here.